What Guinea Pig Bedding Should I Use?

[Ellielouise]

Hi, I will soon be getting Guinea Pigs however, I want to set their hutch up first with the bedding and everything so when they come home they feel happy, but, I am completely confused on what bedding to use. This sounds silly but I've search around and saw things saying 'woodshaving are not good' and ' you should not use hay or straw' and now I'm confused. I was debating using fleece but I am honestly not sure what is best. Please help me pick something good and safe to use. Thanks.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Hi, firstly welcome to the forum. If you can add your location i.e. country it will help greatly when giving advice that's relative to you, as we have forum users from all over the world.

In terms of bedding, its personal preference, some use vetbed, fleece, newspaper & hay, wood shavings and other substitutes. I use auboise which is an equine bedding.
There is always good & and not so good with all bedding. What I would say is if you are going to have a hutch, it's best to line the base with lino as it will give your hutch longevity.
Woodcarvings does have a tendency to soak up the oils from piggies feet, whilst it may seem cheap source to use, it's actually much cheaper for me to use auboise. There is also megazorb too. Most users will have tried different bedding depending on their circumstances and what suits their piggies too.

So as I say personal preference.
If you need ay further help...just shout up.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Bedding can be confusing! Unless your hutch is in an insulated shed or outbuilding, I would not use fleece; that is usually better for indoors cages. Wood shavings are only recommended if dust extracted and straw is not at all recommended for guinea pigs (danger of eye pokes, as well as eing too rough), but there are several alternative loose bedding types that can replace wood shavings. I think that fitch is the one that is currently most popular with our members for outdoors accommodations. Soft hay makes good insulation in winter; hay should make up to 80% of the daily food intake anyway.
Here is our overview, which lists the pros and cons of all types:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/bedding-for-guinea-pigs-overview.114219/
Our members' hutch gallery: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/member-gallery-hutches.53209/

You are welcome to open a thread in our housing section for tips re. winter accommodation and summer/heat wave protection etc.

Since we have got members from all over the world, we find it helpful if you please added your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details. This will enable us to give you tips and links that are appropriate for where you are straight away and will also avoid misunderstadings between members from different backgrounds and climates. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!

Are you planning to get your guinea pigs from a good standard rescue? I would like to ask you to please consider this as the safest option to get guaranteed healthy, properly sexed, carefully bonded guinea pigs that are suited for newbies. It would help you to neatly avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary. We have got a UK good standard piggy savvy rescue and piggy savvy vet locator on the top bar.

You can find lots more information at the top of our various Care sections, but you are welcome to ask any questions you may have at any point in one of our sections for best results.

 

[sport_billy]

Hello, welcome ot the forum

Straw is a definate no no, woodshavings are fine as long as they are good quality and dust extracted.

Here is a link to a thread on all types of bedding giving you pro's and cons https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/bedding-for-guinea-pigs-overview.114219/ have a read and any questions please just ask away.

Another few threads you'll find helpful are

Diet https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/

Settling Pigs https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-do-i-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs.36239/

What you'll need to buy https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/getting-guinea-pigs-items-youll-need-to-buy.112288/

Welcome again and I am looking forward to seeing you around the forum and chatting piggy

Lee

 

[Maisy and Poppy]

Hi and !
I use aubiose which are like woodshavings but very easy to compost. It is quite cheap, I get 20kg for £10. In the sleeping area I put natures best meadow hay and if it is cold I put the hay in the living area as well. The only downsides aubiose has is when you are feeding watery veg like peppers, cuecumber, bananas, and apples the aubiose sticks to them.
Hope this helps!

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

Hey there, welcome to the forum.
We use fleece bedding with two layers of towels underneath to absorb. We spot clean twice a day and change the fleece every three to four days.

 

[SweetJo]

I'm using fleece and I won't be looking back! I take poos and wet puppy pads out twice a day and change the fleece twice a week. Easy peasy